Mr. Shirley W. Curtis

Shirley W. Curtis, age 89, of Port Huron, passed away on September 7, 2015, in McLaren Port Huron Hospital, with his family by his side. He was born on April 4, 1926, in Port Huron, to the late Warren and Laura Curtis. He married Ella L. Coats on August 8, 1947, in Port Huron at the First United Methodist Church, having just celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary. Shirley served honorably in the U.S. Navy, during World War II. He worked at Mueller Brass, for 45 years. He was President of the Quarter Century Club. (The only non-management President to serve). He played baseball in the city league, church league, slo ball for the industrial league. Bowled on the Mueller League and the Masonic League, for many years, now he plays golf. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, where he sang in the church choir and was in the Men’s Method Aires choir, for over 30 years. He also taught Sunday school class and helped with the children under five, for many years. Shirley was the recreation chairman, for many years, coaching and managing boys and girls basketball teams and boys softball. Both boys’ basketball and softball teams went on to the state finals. He helped with the city recreation, as a referee, for girls’ basketball, he also had Girls Athletic Association (GAA), at Garfield Junior High, for many years. He coached and managed girl’s baseball teams, for years, also managed men’s baseball teams, in the city league. He coached and managed little league teams, for 15 years, and was instrumental in building the Little League Park. He also helped with football at Garfield Jr. High School, Chippewa Jr. High School and Port Huron High School. He was a sports booster at Port Huron High School from 1969 -1973, a band booster for the Port Huron Big Red Marching Machine from 1969 – 2002, and still helped with the concessions and was a chaperon, traveling with them to the Olympics. Shirley had been active in the Democratic Party, for countless years, having served as Treasurer and Vice Chairman of the St. Clair County Democratic Party, for years and was an Executive Board Member of the 10th District Executive and State Central Member. He received a special service award for St. Clair County Democratic in 1990, received continuing service awards in 1995. In 1992, he received a Special Service Award from the 10th District. He was a delegate for the National Convention in 1988, in Atlanta, Georgia. He also attended the Inauguration, in Washington, D.C. for President Clinton, in 1996. Shirley belonged to Local 44, and served as Steward, Vice President and Committee member, for years. He was chairman of the St. Clair County Cap Council, a delegate to the National Cap Council, held in Washington, D.C., every year and was an Executive Board Member of the Michigan Cap, and still was a General Board Member of Michigan AFL-CIO. Was an Emeritus Board Member of the Port Huron Masonic Temple, serving as President in 1984 and was very instrumental in rebuilding the building, after the fire in 1987. He joined Smiths Creek Lodge #491, in 1960, received EA Degree on July 8, 1960, FC Degree on September 9, 1960, and was raised to Master Mason on October 21, 1960. He served as Master in 1968, was Mason of the Year, in 1986. In October of 2011, he received his 50 year pin. Shirley served as Treasurer, Trustee and Chairman of the Smiths Creek Chicken Dinner, for many years. He was High Priest of Huron Chapter, in 1972 and was active with the International Day with Sarnia. He also helped with Demolay. Shirley had received the Meritorious Service Award (bronze) of the Year Award from Grand Chapter. He also served on the registration for Grand Chapter, for the past 11 years. Shirley received the Order of Red Cross on January 11, 1974, the Order of Malta, on January 18, 1974, and was knighted on January 25, 1974. He served as Commander for the year 1982, he was also Captain General for many, many years and was made Captain General, Emeritus, on October 10, 2007. Shirley was also Captain General for the Eastern Michigan Battalion, for a number of years. In Council, Shirley was T.I.M., for the year 1992 and received the Purple Trowel Award. He received The Purple Cross, in Tulsa, Oklahoma Shirley was also a member of High Twelve, Past Commanders Club, Tall Cedars, St. Clair York Rite College, Bark River 13,13. Moslem Temple, Blue Water Shrine Club, Grotto, York Rite Cross of Honor, the Scottish Rite and Scottish Rite Club, Blue Water Priory #22, Past Master’s Club, the Elks and the Moose. He is survived by his wife, Ella of Port Huron, son and daughter-in-law, Greg and Joyce Curtis of Lake Mary, Florida, granddaughter, Jessie Curtis (Andrew Colon) of Waleska, Georgia, 3 great grandchildren; Amelia, Andrew Jr., and Analiese, brother, Gerald (Ruth) Curtis of Port Huron, brothers-in-law; Richard Coats of Port Huron, Timothy Coats of Port Huron, sister-in-law, Lois Coats of Port Huron, along with several nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. He was preceded in death by a son, Michael, in January 1969, 2 brothers; Norm and Ed, 2 sisters; Margaret and Ila, a brother-in-law, Max Coats and a sister-in-law, Karen. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, at 11:00 am in the First United Methodist Church – 828 Lapeer Avenue, Port Huron. Reverend Bill Wright will officiate. Burial will be in Lakeside Cemetery. Visiting hours will be Friday, from 4:00pm – 8:00pm in the Jowett Funeral Home – 1634 Lapeer Avenue, Port Huron and again on Saturday, from 10:00am until time of service at 11:00am, in the church. Smiths Creek Masonic Lodge #491 F.&A.M. will conduct a masonic service at 7:00pm in the funeral home on Friday. Pallbearers will be - Bill Herlihy, Patrick Parcell, Clint Sharrard, Clarence Spencer, Carl French and Lou Stevich. Veterans Honor Guard Alliance will conduct military honors. Memorial tributes can be made to: First United Methodist Church or the Kidney Foundation of Michigan.

Mr. Shirley W. Curtis

April 4, 1926 - September 7, 2015